Overview

I'm a developmental editor, collaborator, ghostwriter, and literary consultant. In addition to traditional developmental editing, I help authors create proposals, connect them with top literary agents, and have collaborated on four books. I specialize in non-fiction, including self-help, memoir, health and wellness, and spirituality. Some of my clients include Marianne Williamson, Tommy Rosen, Kute Blackson, and Debbie Rosas. While at HarperCollins, I worked with Pulitzer Prizer winnerJeffry Marx, Fashion PR maven Kelly Cutrone, yogis Ana Forrest and Cameron Alborzian, and former NIH director and best-selling author Francis Collins.

Work experience

Freelance Editor and Collaborator

CDT Editorial

February, 2012
–
Present
(over 7 years)

Ghostwriting projects

ON FIRE: The Seven Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
John O’Leary (North Star Way, S&S, March 2016)
Burned in a fire when he was nine years old, John O’Leary was given less than a 1% chance to live. Now a successful business owner and motivational speaker, John presents seven choices that hold the power to transform our lives from dull to extraordinary, tragic to triumphant and merely successful to truly significant.
*#1 Los Angeles Times and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller, #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller, translated into nine languages

“This is a book about coming alive -- about practicing courage and fully showing up at home, work, and with the people we love. John is a storyteller, change-maker, and cage-rattler. Reading this book is like having a good friend look you square in the eye and say, 'The time to be brave is now.'” – Brene Brown, bestselling author of Daring Greatly

YOU ARE THE ONE: A Bold Adventure in Finding Purpose, Discovering the Real You, and Loving Fully
Kute Blackson (North Star Way, S&S, June 2016)
Kute Blackson comes from a long line of spiritual visionaries, and from the age of eight was being groomed to take over his father’s churches. Yet at age 18, he broke from his father’s tradition to move to America and begin teaching on his own. This book compels the reader to peel back all the ways they are living an inauthentic life so they can discover who they really are, why they are really here, and start living a life that is full…of purpose, boldness, and most of all, love.

"Kute Blackson is a leading visionary in the field of personal development. His work is remarkable, powerful, and will transform your life. You. Are. The. One. is a must read for all!!" – Larry King

NAPKIN NOTES: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow
Garth Callaghan (HarperOne 2014)
When Garth is diagnosed with cancer, the notes he has been leaving in his daughter’s lunchbox take on new meaning, and this book becomes a reflection on life, our mortality, and the importance of connecting with those we love, while we still can.
*Optioned by Reese Witherspoon and New Line Cinema *Finalist for Books for a Better Life Award *Translated into 11 languages

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD: A Love Story of Faith, Hope, and Forgiveness
Amy Baumgardner and Matt Baumgardner (HCI Fall 2014)
A memoir of Amy Baumgardner's struggle with alcohol, the resulting devastation on her marriage, and her crippling guilt after a drunk driving accident that left her 5-year old daughter in critical condition; recounts, in both points of view, their story of the healing power of forgiveness as they rebuild their marriage and their family.
*As seen on Oprah’s LifeClass

Consultation
consulted with authors on an hourly for hire basis on best path to publication, including connecting them with literary agents, providing feedback on contracts, strategizing about self-publishing v. traditional publishing.

Senior Editor

HarperOne (a division of HarperCollins Publishers)

July, 2003
–
February, 2012
(over 8 years)

o Acquired and edited titles for HarperOne Publishers in the categories of memoir, religion/crossover, self-help, relationships, inspiration, and wellness/personal growth.
o Launched Avon Inspire as the sole acquiring editor for a line of inspirational romance.
o Managed 15-20 titles a year.
o Project managed each title from acquisition to publication.
o Responsible for positioning, titling, developmental editing, flap copy, coordinating with production on book design and budget, brand management of house authors, strategizing with marketing and publicity teams, and consulting with art director on cover art.
o Evaluated proposals from agents, pitched editorial board, and presented new titles at seasonal launch meetings. Point-person for advance offers, auctions and contract negotiations.
o Promoted five times in eight years.
Senior Editor: October 2011 – February 2012
Editor: October 2008 – September 2011
Associate Editor: September 2006 – September 2008
Assistant Editor: July 2005 – September 2006
Editorial Assistant: July 2003 – July 2005
o Edited three New York Times bestsellers, one USA Today bestseller, two Christianity Today Book Award winners, two Christy Award finalists, one finalist for Books for a Better Life, and three Nautilus Award winners

Portfolio (4 selected works)

Garth Callaghan doesn’t know how long he has to live. But he can be certain of one simple thing: No matter his fate, his daughter, Emma, will find a handwritten note inside her lunchbox each day until she graduates from high school.Cancer has given Garth Callaghan a new purpose: to inspire parents to connect more with their children even in small ways, as he has done before and since his diagn... read more

Garth Callaghan doesn’t know how long he has to live. But he can be certain of one simple thing: No matter his fate, his daughter, Emma, will find a handwritten note inside her lunchbox each day until she graduates from high school.Cancer has given Garth Callaghan a new purpose: to inspire parents to connect more with their children even in small ways, as he has done before and since his diagn... read more

Like many relationships, after eight years of marriage and two kids, Amy and Matt had drifted apart. They started fighting, lost trust and respect, and their marriage spiraled down. Instead of dealing with the problems, Amy started to drink. She lost her job, she gained weight, she neglected her children. And then one day, she went too far. Even though she knew she'd had too much to drink, she... read more

Like many relationships, after eight years of marriage and two kids, Amy and Matt had drifted apart. They started fighting, lost trust and respect, and their marriage spiraled down. Instead of dealing with the problems, Amy started to drink. She lost her job, she gained weight, she neglected her children. And then one day, she went too far. Even though she knew she'd had too much to drink, she... read more

In the bestselling tradition of Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly and Nick Vujicic’s Life Without Limits comes a rousing 7-step plan for living a life on fire, filled with hope and possibility—from an inspirational speaker who survived a near-fatal fire at the age of nine and now runs a successful business inspiring people all around the world.When John O’Leary was nine years old, he was almost kil... read more

In the bestselling tradition of Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly and Nick Vujicic’s Life Without Limits comes a rousing 7-step plan for living a life on fire, filled with hope and possibility—from an inspirational speaker who survived a near-fatal fire at the age of nine and now runs a successful business inspiring people all around the world.When John O’Leary was nine years old, he was almost kil... read more

A charismatic visionary and transformational teacher offers a bold new look at spiritual awareness providing the tools needed to live a life truly inspired by love for a whole new generation.Kute Blackson comes from a long line of spiritual leaders and works with people from all walks of life, offering his own uniquely powerful process to transform lives from the inside out. His inspirational ... read more

A charismatic visionary and transformational teacher offers a bold new look at spiritual awareness providing the tools needed to live a life truly inspired by love for a whole new generation.Kute Blackson comes from a long line of spiritual leaders and works with people from all walks of life, offering his own uniquely powerful process to transform lives from the inside out. His inspirational ... read more

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